Netflix's new tool to prevent phone bill blowouts

NETFLIX has released a new tool for entertainment fan to control how much data they are using while watching movies and TV programs on mobile devices.

The 'cellular data usage' tool will particularly appeal to those who have limited data plans and don't want a nasty shock when they get their monthly bill.

"As we have launched Netflix around the world, we have seen big differences in how much people are streaming on smartphones and what kinds of mobile data plans they have,'' Netflix's director of product innovation Eddy Wu said.

The default setting on the new tool will enable people to stream about three hours of TV shows and movies per gigabyte of data.

"In terms of bitrates, that currently amounts to about 600 Kilobits per second.